2011 NFL Mock Draft: Round Two. New England Takes Over
Continuing from Round 1 posted yesterday here is your round two of a full seven round mock draft. Not everyone was pleased with my first round mock which is to be expected. Something I’ve mentioned a few times is that here at nflmocks we have a slew of quality authors offering up more typical mock drafts (Sayre, Greg, Mackenzie, Tanner, Nick, and our newest writer Eric-first mock being posted tomorrow), which is great because as a minor contrarian I feel in my element going against the grain. But I hope that by the end of 7 rounds you’ll see and appreciate my vision.
33. New England Patriots -Justin Houston, OLB, Georgia
Previous picks J.J. Watt, Brandon Harris
The Patriots are in a great position this year and the rest of the A.F.C. East would waive the white flag if the Patriots were able to come away with J.J. Watt, Brandon Harris, and Houston to augment there already young and developing defense. Houston had a pretty good combine and could go in the first round.
34. Buffalo Bills-Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
I would think at this point I would really consider giving the Bills Kyle Rudolph in almost all other circumstances, unless Jake Locker is available here. Ryan Mallett is a possibility but Chain Gailey likes mobile quarterbacks and I don’t know if Mallett would fit what the Bills are looking for. The Bills Can NOT afford to pass up on an OT like Carimi in the second round.
Previous Pick: Von Miller
35. Cincinnati Bengals-Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas
Mallett makes a ton of sense for the Bengals here first if you get a shiny new toy (WR) you also have to buy new batteries (Mallett) especially if your old toy has retired (Palmer!). Mallett’s biggest drawback is a reported litany of character concerning mishaps. I don’t have access to these players personally in an intimate setting so I don’t know how to deal with character issues so I’ll rely on the information that comes from people with “sources”. If Palmer is serious about retiring instead of playing with the Bengals Mallett could be an excellent find here. The Bengals love talent and have taken “risky” players in the past. Mallett and Julio Jones instantly add some explosiveness to their offense…but they still need to hope that Andre Simth figures it out next year or they can add some more OL depth and talent in free agency.
Previous Pick: Julio Jones
36.Denver Broncos- Kyle Rudolph, TE, Norte Dame
I recognize that the Broncos have more pressing needs (especially on defense) but last season the Broncos “best” Tight End had 18 receptions for a 189 yards. Rudolph is a legitimate first round talent, but has the pesky problem of being oft-injured. If Rudolph’s medical evaluation checks out Rudolph could be hard to pass up here as the best player available. The only thing that makes me shy away from this pick is the arrival of John Fox who has not really ever had a dynamic TE in his offenses. I also think this pick is more likely because they have another second round pick to play with to fix their defense.
previous pick: Da’Quan Bowers
37. Cleveland Browns-Leonard Hankerson, WR, The U
I was really tempted to mock Ryan Williams to the Browns in the second round because he is also a borderline first round talent who just had a disappointing season last year. Hillis was a nice player last year, but I’m not sure if he’ll fit the West Coast offense that the Browns want to run where Williams who is a plus receiver out of the backfield might be a better fit. Alas, the Browns have to upgrade their receiving options if Colt McCoy is going to have a chance to be successful this year, and because Fairley fell in their laps in the first round they go WR in the second.
Previous pick: Nick Fairley
38. Arizona Cardinals-Stefen Wisniewski, C Penn State
Previous pick: Robert Quinn
I don’t know if Lyle Sendlein, is good enough to be a franchise center because I haven’t seen enough of him, but I do know that regardless the Cardinals need help in the interior of their offensive line, and might have one of the worst offensive lines in the league. yes, they still need a QB, but I still think they will end up with Donovan Mcnabb. Wisneiewski can take over if Alan Faneca retires, or if they want to replace Lyle Sendlein and be a fixture for the next 10-12 years in the middle of the Cardinals offensive line and is good value at this point.
39. Tennessee Titans- Marvin Austin, DT, North Carolina
Previous pick: A.J. Green WR
Austin absolutely dominated the combine and proved that he is a truly elite athlete at the defensive tackle position. Now, I don’t know enough about Mike Munchak to know what his plans are moving forward, but I do know that the Titans could use another presence in the middle, especially one as talented as Austin. This pick would depend on the Titans checking out Austin’s issues, but if he clears out they may choose Austin over a player like Christian Ponder here.
40. Dallas Cowboys- Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State
Previous Pick: Nate Solder
This is the second time the Cowboys will have passed up talented secondary players to fill needs in the trenches, but that’s not a bad thing. After watching the Giants and Eagles take turns making it to the Superbowl the past decade (3 out of the 10 years in the decade) by routinely drafting DL in the early parts of the draft the Cowboys will recognize the importance of upgrading the line and eschew the secondary (but there is plenty of good cornerbacks that could fall into round three). Although, like I said in the first round write-ups if Peterson makes it past Arizona at 5 all bets are off and the Cowboys will definitely explore moving up three spots (it might just cost them a 3rd rounder…trade value chart would put that about 25 points off so maybe a 3rd and a 6th rounder?).
41. Washington Redskins-Ryan Williams, RB, VA Tech
Previous Pick: Jake Locker
I saw mike Shanahan quoted the other day saying something along the lines of “we were really lucky in Denver to find talented backs late in the draft) which leads me to think that perhaps the Redskins will consider grabbing a talented RB in the draft this year. In this scenario, Williams is one of, if not the best player available and also fits a need for the Redskins who need to add more running backs even if they like Ryan Torain.
Also, I should mention right now that the Redskins have signed O.J. Atogwe to a contract.
42. Houston Texans-Titus Young, WR, Boise State
Previous Pick: Phil Taylor
Before the combine, it looked like Titus Young might vault himself into the first round, but with a disappointing 40 time (not for everyone, but for what people were expecting of Young) his stock might remain as a potential second round pick. That’s a good thing for Houston as they take a player that can finally take pressure of Andre Johnson on the outside. Young might not have Djack’s speed, but he’s still a dynamic player and could easily have a career like Satana Moss has had as a solid #1 or great #2 WR. This isn’t Texans biggest need (OLB probably is after NT), but it does provide the best value.
43. Minnesota Vikings-Muhammed Wilkerson, DT, Temple
Previous Pick: Blaine Gabbert
Wilkerson has a chance to slip into the late first round, but in this mock he did not and with Minnesota already addressing the QB position, they find Pat Williams eventual replacement. They have young talent in the secondary already and Wilkerson offers too much positional value to pass up here at 43rd overall.
44. Detroit Lions-Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
Previous Pick: Prince Amukamara
Adrian Clayborn is the best player available not named Christian Ponder at this moment and the Lions love to take their best player available. The Lions have some young talented pass rushing defensive ends but Clayborn can come in and be a very good run stopping LDE and be replaced by Cliff Avril or Vanden Bosch on passing downs. Clayborn is good value here and is a first round talent, but a down year and dreaded character concerns label causes Clayborn to fall in the draft
45. San Francisco 49ers-Christian Ponder, QB, FSU
Previous Pick: Patrick Peterson
A no-brain pick here as the 49ers get a very talented quarterback in the second round to pair with the best CB in the draft in the first round. The 49ers, I’d imagine, would think of this as a dream scenario. Ponder is a very good quarterback, but battled arm injuries all season last year which hurt his play. Throughout the draft process he’s shown he has enough zip on his passes to go along with his competitive edge and solid decision making. As of today (3/2) he is Wes Bunting’s #1 overall Quarterback.
46.Denver Broncos-Drake Nevis, DT, LSU
Previous Picks: Da’Quan Bowers, Kyle Rudolph
Drake Nevis is too good to pass up here as the Broncos look to move away from the embarrassing Josh McDaniels era. Nevis has a chance to sneak into the first round, much like Tyson Alalualu did last season, they are both hard working, non-stop motor productive defensive tackles who lack N.F.L. elite athleticism. The Jaguars don’t regret drafting Alaualu 1oth overall after seeing what he brought last year, and some team might be thinking the same about Nevis next year.
47. St.Louis Rams-Mason Foster, OLB, Washington
Prevoius pick: Cameron Jordan, Cal
WR is a huge need for the Rams, but so is Linebacker. This is the easiest way to write it: the Rams last season picked up and started (not every game) a linebacker the NY Giants cut. Whew, if that doesn’t’ say how bad your linebackers are, nothing will get it across.
48. Oakland Raiders-Aaron Williams, CB, Texas
No Previous picks
Where the Raiders pick cornerback will probably provide the best value at this point in the second round because it’s a deep cornerback class. It is well publicized that he Raiders love athletes and Aaron Williams is just that, a very good athlete with good speed. Brandon Burton might be a better player, but he’ s not the better athlete. The Raiders choosing speed isn’t what has kept them from the playoffs it’s the instability at the head coaching position and the lack of a franchise quarterback.
49. Jacksonville Jaguars-Quinton Carter, FS, Oklahoma
Previous pick: Ryan Kerrigan
Of the five players listed on the Jaguars depth chart at Safety, there are only three total interceptions. That is not great. Part of the problem of the Jaguars struggles defending the pass arises from poor cornerback play, part of it is a lack of a great pass rush, and lastly is the safety play. All three areas contribute to a less than stellar pass defense. At this point, Carter is good value as only the second safety off the board.
50. San Diego Chargers-Jaball Sheard, DE, Pittsburgh
Previous pick: Martez Wilson
Sheard has the bulk to play at 3-4 DE which is one of the few needs of the very talented San Diego Chargers. He is also one of the best players available at this juncture and a logical pick for the San Diego Chargers. They could also consider a NT like Powe, but they drafted Cam Thomas last year and I’m not going to give up on him yet.
51. Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Bruce Carter, OLB, North Carolina
Previous pick- Aldon Smith
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers need to improve their defense because they have a very promising young offense lead by Josh Freeman. Bruce Carter if he can return to full health is a steal here in the second round. Prior to the college football season Carter was a lock for the first round. He’s build like a Greek-god and has all the upside in the world. He’d also excel in the Tampa two defense where linebackers need speed, at North Carolina he supposedly ran a sub 4.4 40 which really reminds me of one of the players on my 11 year old brother-in-laws Madden teams (the one he creates and does the attributes for).
52. New York Giants-Ras-I-Dowling, CB, University of Virginia
Previous Pick: Tyron Smith
The Giants, according to footballoutsiders.com, were #2 in the league vs #1 WR, #7 vs #2 WR, and then 31st vs all other wide receivers. They need cornerback depth. Their CB and LB depth is so bad they chose to play 3 safeties most of the season. Many Giants fans want a linebacker here, but with Foster and Carter both coming off the board already in this round the value is there for the Giants, who rarely reach for players. And Dowling is the kind of big, physical Cornerbacks the Giants prefer.
53. Indianapolis Colts–Rodney Hudson, G, FSU
Previous Pick: Anthony Castanzo
The Colts desperately need to improve their offensive line play and in this mock they get two OL who really fit well in their system and present good value. Castanzo is not great value in the first, but solid value. Hudson is very good value in the second round. The Colts could also go with a defensive tackle here, but Hudson is too good to pass up especially for the Colts system.
54. Philadelphia Eagles-Ben Ijalana, OT/G Villanova
Previous Pick: Corey Liuget
Ijalana is good value here, some think Ijalana is a borderline first round pick whereas I think this is the more appropriate value for Ijalana. Nevertheless, the Eagles love to add talent to their trenches, and while they need help in the secondary (specifically cornerback) they are more likely to go offensive line based on what Andy Reid has done since he joined the team, and because they spent a lot of picks on defense last year and might give those players more time to develop.
55. Kansas City Chiefs-Jason Pinkston OL, Pittsburgh
Previous Pick: Mark Ingram
Pinkston is one of the top guards in the draft and will be a nice replacement inside for the Chiefs when Brian Waters retires. The Chiefs have to keep improving their run game if they want to compete in the A.F.C. West. They also need help on defense, especially at NT and for another playyer to ease Mike Vrabel out of the starting position and into retirement, but Pinkston is a good player and good value here in the second round.
56. New Orleans Saints-DeAndre McDaniel, SS, Clemson
Previous Pick: Jimmy Smith
There are many ways that the Saints could go in the draft. Before I started the mock I had no intention of going secondary in the Saints first two picks, but Roman Harper regressed last year from where he was and Darren Sharper as near the end of his career. The Saints need to find a player to push Harper and provide depth for LAS (life after Sharper). McDaniel is a very solid player and the Saints should be happy to have him here in the second round.
57. Seattle Seahawks-Jurrell Casey, DT, USC
previous pick: Cam Newton
This was actually a suggestion from a reader who commented on our Seahawks team mock draft (see I pay attention to what you guys are saying in the comments so keep him coming and help us out) to fulfill the Seahawks need as a run stuffing Defensive linemen. I think cornerback is the other play here with either Davan House, Johnny Patrick, or Brandon Burton all still available.
58. Baltimore Ravens-Davon House, CB, New Mexico State
Previous Pick: Jon Baldwin
The Ravens have a lot of age on their defense and need to start drafting players to be the replacement for all of the very good defensive they’ve accumulated over the past decade. House didn’t intercept the ball as much as you would like for a second round pick, but is a good fluid cornerback who is worth a second round pick.
59. Atlanta Falcons-Torrey Smith, WR, Baltimore
Previous Pick: Stephen Paea
It is very possible, and perhaps likely, that Torrey Smiths’ speed is too much for teams to resist over-drafting him. Smith is not a great WR and wasn’t that productive at Maryland, but was productive enough (1055 yards receiving and 12 touchdowns last year). He’ll draw some comparison to Darrius Heyward Bey (unfairly), but it is true that right now he is essentially a one trick pony. That can change though, and that’s really all the Falcons need right now anyway.
60. New England Patriots-Danny Watkins, G, Baylor
Previous Picks: J.J. Watt, Brandon Harris, Justin Houston,
I’m not saying that Danny Watkins isn’t a good football player and won’t be successful in the N.F.L. I’m saying I don’t buy that any team is going to spend a first round pick or even a high second round pick on a prospect who will be 27! before the season ends next year. That’s crazy. I don’t know if any prospect that old has ever been selected in the first round before and i won’t believe it’ll happen until it does. What team wants to give up five years of an athlete’s potential time to play for a team with a first round or high second round pick? The Patriots, though, are a win now team until Brady retires so Watkins might make sense for them and the value here is great.
61. San Diego Chargers-DeMarco Murray, RB, Oklahoma
Previous Picks: Martez Wilson, Jaball Sheard
DeMarco Murray is a luxury pick here since the Chargers have upgraded their defense. Murray also will help out the special teams (as will Martez Wilson) as a return man. Also, if Sproles is not retained, which is possible, then Murray fills the void as a dynamic pass catching Running back, which has been integral to the chargers success on offense.
62. Chicago Bears-Allen Bailey, DT, The U
Previous Pick: Derrick Sherrod
Bailey has a first round build, but not a first round game tape. Still the upside here is tremendous and with the Bears just releasing Tommie Harris, and without a great WR prospect available here the Bears take one of the highest upside prospects at this spot in the second round.
63. Pittsburgh Steelers Chrisitan Ballard, DL, Iowa
Previous Pick: Rahim Moore, S, UCLA
Ballard is a tough hardworking defensive linemen who is solid value here in the second round. The Steelers don’t reach for players and like to build their defense. I believe the Steelers feel the same about their OL that I do. That it’s better than advertised. Big Ben will always take a lot of sacks because he runs around a ton and holds onto the ball forever, but he’ll also make big plays and lead the team to a ton of wins. The Steelers choose to continue building the foundation for the defense of the future as Brett Keisel and Aaron Smith begin slowly aging out of the N.F.L.
64. Green Bay Packers-D.J. Williams, TE, Arkansas
Previous pick: Mike Pouncey
The Packers don’t draft for need ever. With only one TE off the board in this mock Williams value is too enticing for the Packers to pass up here. Kenrick Ellis would be the pick, but the Packers avoid players with “work ethic and/or character concerns” which is right in Ellis label.
Hopefully people will like the second round more than the first.
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